Minnesota Thunder

Minnesota Thunder

Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team from Minnesota, United States. It started in 1990 and played in the USL First Division, the second level of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009.

The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota for its last two seasons. Its colors were navy blue, light blue, silver, and white.

Minnesota Thunder had a development team called the Rochester Thunder. This team played in the USL Premier Development League for one more season after the main team stopped. There was also a sister team, the Minnesota Lightning, which played in the women's USL W-League.

History

Before the Minnesota Thunder started in 1990, Minnesota had two other professional soccer teams. The first was the Minnesota Kicks, which played from 1976 to 1981. After that, the Minnesota Strikers played for one season before stopping in 1988.

The Minnesota Thunder began in 1990 as a team made up of top amateur and former professional players. They played exhibition games and worked with a small budget. Over the years, the team grew and became professional. Coach Buzz Lagos led the team to many victories. The team faced changes and challenges, and in 2009, they decided to leave their league. Soon after, a new team called the NSC Minnesota Stars was formed to continue soccer in the area.

Colors and badge

In 2008, the Minnesota Thunder team got a new logo. The logo has navy blue, light blue, and silver colors. A company in Minneapolis called Capsule made it.

Earlier logos had a big “T” with a soccer ball, remembering a big win in 1999. The first logo showed a soccer ball with a thunderbolt and the words “Minnesota Thunder.” Later logos showed the state of Minnesota with a soccer ball and thunderbolt. In 2002, the logo had a soccer ball with movement lines and a T below the team name. In 2006, the same company made another new logo.

The team’s official mascot was Thor.

Stadiums

The Minnesota Thunder played their home games at different stadiums over the years. Their first home field was the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota. They played there from 1990 to 2003, and again from 2008 to 2009. In 2004, they moved to James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul, Minnesota. They also played a few games at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Macalester Stadium at Macalester College in St. Paul, and other schools like Stillwater High School in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota.

Supporters

The biggest group of fans for the Minnesota Thunder was called the Dark Clouds. They started in 2004 and helped change the team's home stadium. After the Thunder team stopped playing, these fans began supporting two new teams: the NSC Minnesota Stars and Minnesota United FC. Minnesota United FC later joined a bigger soccer league called MLS.

Players

Final roster

Note: Flags show which country's team a player could join, based on FIFA eligibility rules. Some players might have ties to more than one country.

Hall of Fame

These people were honored in the Minnesota Thunder Hall of Fame:

• Tony Pesznecker Inducted 1996
• Tony Sanneh Inducted 1996
• Manuel Lagos Inducted 1996
• John Swallen Inducted 2002
• Gerard Lagos Inducted 2002
• Tom Engstrom Inducted 2003
• Don Gramenz Inducted 2004
• Buzz Lagos Inducted 2005
• Amos Magee Inducted 2005
• Bill George Inducted 2006

Year-by-year

The Minnesota Thunder was a professional soccer team from Minnesota, United States. They started in 1990 and played until 2009. For the last two years, they played their home games at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota.

Honors

The Minnesota Thunder had many successes as a team. They won the USL A-League in 1999 and were runners-up in 1998, 2000, and 2003. They also won division titles in the Midwest, Midwest East, and Central Divisions in different years.

The team reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup in 2005 and the quarterfinals in 2004. They were also runners-up in the USISL Sizzling Nine Championship in 1994 and 1995.

Head coaches

The Minnesota Thunder had three head coaches. Buzz Lagos coached the team from 1990 to 2005. Amos Magee was coach from 2006 to 2008. Then, Don Gramenz coached until the team ended in 2009.